100th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing
| 100th Air Refueling Wing | |
|---|---|
100th ARW Emblem
|
|
| Active | 1942-1945, 1947-1949, 1956-1983, 1990-1991, 1992-present |
| Country |
 United States
|
| Branch |
 United States Air Force
|
| Type | Air Refueling |
| Part of | United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa |
| Garrison/HQ | RAF Mildenhall |
| Nickname(s) | Bloody 100th |
| Motto(s) | Peace Through Strength |
| Engagements | Image:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon.svg |
| Decorations |
 DUC AFOUA FCdG w/ Palm
|
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Colonel Thomas D. Torkelson |
The 100th Air Refueling Wing (100 ARW) is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Third Air Force, United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa. It is stationed at RAF Mildenhall, England. It is also the host wing at RAF Mildenhall.
The 100 ARW is the only permanent U.S. air refueling wing in the European theater.
During World War II, its predecessor unit, the 100th Bombardment Group (Heavy), was an Eighth Air Force B-17 Flying Fortress unit in England, stationed at RAF Thorpe Abbotts. Flying over 300 combat missions, the group earned two Distinguished Unit Citations (Regensburg, 17 August 1943; Berlin, 4/6/8 March 1944). The group suffered tremendous losses in combat, with 177 Aircraft MIA, flying its last mission on 20 April 1945.
One of the wing's honors is that it is the only modern USAF operational wing allowed to display on its assigned aircraft the tail code (Square-D) of its World War II predecessor.
USAFE's only KC-135 air refueling wing, it is responsible for U.S. aerial refueling operations conducted throughout the European theater. The unit supports some 16,000 personnel, including Third Air Force, four geographically separated units, and 15 associated units.
100th Operations Group (100 OG)
100th Maintenance Group (100 MXG)
100th Mission Support Group (100 MSG)
On 1 June 1942, the Army Air Forces activated the 100th Bombardment Group (Heavy) (100th BG) as an unmanned paper unit assigned to III Bomber Command. The group remained unmanned until 27 October 1942, when a small number of men transferred from the 29th Bombardment Group to Gowen Field, Idaho, to serve as the group's initial cadre. Within four days, on 1 November, the small cadre forming the 100 BG moved the unit to Walla Walla Army Air Base, Washington, where it received its first four aircrews and four B-17Fs from the Boeing factory in Seattle. Following receipt of crews and aircraft, the 100th BG relocated to Wendover Field, Utah, on 30 November where it added additional personnel, aircraft, crews, and began operational training (bombing, gunnery, and navigation).
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